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It really is not about the controls, the G15, and S110, etc will have the DSLR controls. It is about the expensive glass with a DSLR. Cheap glass on a DSLR is not any better than cheap glass on a pocket camera.

I use my pocket cameras all the time on manual controls. That is the difference between a $99 pocket camera and a $449 S110 pocket camera. You can 99% as much on a G or S line camera as a DSLR then upgrade later when it really matters and keep the G or S as your backup or travel.

So basically I'm still going to have to learn how to use the DSLR controls proficiently if I want these cameras to really shine over lesser P&S cameras then, right?

If that is the case I guess I'll just have to make the time to learn about it more.

You don't have to do anything manually. You can just get more creative if you do. The important part of a pocket camera is the lens quality and the processor.

The new Digic 5 HS system is mind boggling IMO. You can take 10 high burst pics in 1 second. You can do 1/10 normal speed slow motion video. Not only does it have face recognition, you can even prioritize it so your kid is always in focus in a crowd!

The new Digic 5 processor figures out what you are doing and sets the camera accordingly. It works pretty darn well.

Here is 75% of what you need to know when doing manual controls.....

Auto = Wife mode, on the go, etc.

Tv = You set the shutter, it does everything else. So if you know you are shooing action or your hand is moving around a lot, Set it high like 1/1000 and the camera will do everything it can to give you the light you need. Take the pic. Good? No? drop down to 1/500 or 1/250 until its bright enough.

Av = You set the depth of field, it does everything else. Want a blurry background? Set it as low (f1.8 or f2.0) as possible and the camera does the rest (increases shutter speed, etc.) Picture too bright? increase the f stop.

There are the basics to play with. Rest assured though, the Digic 5 stuff takes great pics in Auto. It also asks you want you want to shoot in other modes. In other words, you want a blurry background (yes/no) then sets the camera.

I agree with much of what you say, but to say that you can do 99% of what a DSLR can do with a point and shoot is just false..

the facts are:

A 28mm lens on a point and shoot can never be a 14mm lens, or a 200mm lens, or a fisheye, etc.. you are stuck with whatever range you are given with that lens.

1.8 aperature can never be 1.2 or 1.4, although 1.8 is still quite large i give you that.

That sensor in that point in shoot, or your 60D with never get you the depth of field that a Full Frame senor can provide.

Also, which I'm sure you know but haven't mentioned, its not the ability to change settings, it how conveniently and quickly you can change settings which is why a point and shoot will never replace a DSLR for someone who needs to quickly change settings.

And like you mentioned, the quality of glass makes a huge difference.. I own quite a few Canon L lenses and and to say a point and shoot lens could compare is just insane.

Anway, right tool for the right job i guess, and point and shoots are great tools, and the G15 is probably great.

BTW, have you seen the Sony's new full frame "point and shoot"? The Sony RX1.. looks pretty sick, but crazy price of $2799

It really is not about the controls, the G15, and S110, etc will have the DSLR controls. It is about the expensive glass with a DSLR. Cheap glass on a DSLR is not any better than cheap glass on a pocket camera.

I use my pocket cameras all the time on manual controls. That is the difference between a $99 pocket camera and a $449 S110 pocket camera. You can 99% as much on a G or S line camera as a DSLR then upgrade later when it really matters and keep the G or S as your backup or travel.

I agree with much of what you say, but to say that you can do 99% of what a DSLR can do with a point and shoot is just false..

the facts are:

A 28mm lens on a point and shoot can never be a 14mm lens, or a 200mm lens, or a fisheye, etc.. you are stuck with whatever range you are given with that lens.

1.8 aperature can never be 1.2 or 1.4, although 1.8 is still quite large i give you that.

That sensor in that point in shoot, or your 60D with never get you the depth of field that a Full Frame senor can provide.

And like you mentioned, the quality of glass makes a huge difference.. I own quite a few Canon L lenses and and to say a point and shoot lens could compare is just insane.

Anway, right tool for the right job i guess, and point and shoots are great tools, and the G15 is probably great.

99% of a DSLR at the same price

Are you really going to compare a $500 camera to a $2500 camera with $7500 worth of lenses?

Give me a break.

Compare a G15 with f1.8-f2.8 and Digic 5
to
his XSi with a f3.5-f5.6 and Digic 3

then tell me I am crazy.

PS - the 99% of what you can do was talking about function and control NOT picture quality.
PPS - you are a fool if you think a $10,000 pro set up will give you 20 times the picture quality on the go. We are talking about value here not pixel peeping.
PPS - DSLRs do not fit in pockets. I am not talking about replacing DSLRs for DSLR users.

Hey not trying to argue, was just saying that your comment of "99% of a DSLR at the same price" is incorrect, that's all. I didn't understand that by DSLR you meant entry level DSLR, which in that case you probably 99% correct!

Seriously though, you are right if you are comparing a G15 with a XSi, the only advantage the XSi has is the ability to swap lenses, but the G15 makes up for that in size. Like i said, right tool for the right job. And not to mention the majority of people don't know how to use a DSLR manually and there for a point and shoot is perfect.

No hard feelings man!

Btw, a friend of mine who is an avid photographer just picked up the Sony RX100 and I have to say the pictures are pretty impressive. It would be in the same category as the G15.. Check it out, Zeiss glass, 1.8 aperature, 1" 20MP sensor.. pretty incredible.

Are you really going to compare a $500 camera to a $2500 camera with $7500 worth of lenses?

Give me a break.

Compare a G15 with f1.8-f2.8 and Digic 5
to
his XSi with a f3.5-f5.6 and Digic 3

then tell me I am crazy.

PS - the 99% of what you can do was talking about function and control NOT picture quality.
PPS - you are a fool if you think a $10,000 pro set up will give you 20 times the picture quality on the go. We are talking about value here not pixel peeping.

Hey not trying to argue, was just saying that your comment of "99% of a DSLR at the same price" is incorrect, that's all. I didn't understand that by DSLR you meant entry level DSLR, which in that case you probably 99% correct!

Seriously though, you are right if you are comparing a G15 with a XSi, the only advantage the XSi has is the ability to swap lenses, but the G15 makes up for that in size. Like i said, right tool for the right job. And not to mention the majority of people don't know how to use a DSLR manually and there for a point and shoot is perfect.

No hard feelings man!

Btw, a friend of mine who is an avid photographer just picked up the Sony RX100 and I have to say the pictures are pretty impressive. It would be in the same category as the G15.. Check it out, Zeiss glass, 1.8 aperature, 1" 20MP sensor.. pretty incredible.

I actually bought the NEX5 when it first came out.. I used it as my travel camera for a few months but never got in a groove with it so I sold it. I was impressed with the image quality though and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sony products, coming from someone being heavily vested into Canon.

I think the strong notes of the Sony Rx100 are the sensor size (1" vs 1/1.7" of the canon) and the Zeiss glass. It looks like the Sony RX100 is more in competition with the Canon G1x though, at least in terms of price.

Anyway, best of luck man, enjoy whatever you get!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMan

no hard feelings. I get hyper-sensitive when excited.

I know Sony has some real nice stuff. I looked hard at the nex5n. It just did not feel comfortable to me.

I know the RX100 is nice, but the G15 is only at f2.0 or f2.4 while the RX100 is at f4.9 in tele. It is also @ $200 more.

I am just tired of lugging my 60d around when a smaller camera would be more appropriate.